BCM student receives two national awards

Fourth-year Baylor College of Medicine medical student Cameron Decker recently received both the 2011 National Outstanding Medical Student Award from the American College of Emergency Physicians and the Dr. Alexandra Greene Medical Student Award from the Emergency Medicine Residents' Association.

The Dr. Alexandra Greene Medical Student Award is given to a student who displays a significant dedication to emergency medicine and goes out of their way for patients and colleagues. The Emergency Medicine Resident's Association is the largest and oldest independent resident organization in the world.

For the 2011 Outstanding Medical Student Award, Decker was selected for his humanism, professionalism, scholarly achievements and community service. The American College of Emergency Physicians is the national medical specialty organization representing emergency physicians.

"Emergency medicine has always been a passion of mine – I love the challenge of making rapid, meaningful decisions with limited information and equipment. At BCM, my goal has always been to use emergency medicine to make a positive change in my community. Recognition of my efforts from both of these organizations means a lot to me," said Decker.

Decker will graduate from BCM in May, and has received the Student Leadership in Community Service Award from BCM and has been inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. He will continue his residency training through BCM's emergency medicine residency program.

"It is always an honor to have a Baylor medical student recognized nationally by their peers for their outstanding contributions. Cameron is a tireless leader who has excelled both in medical school as well as his outside interests," said Dr. Angela Siler Fisher, associate chief for operations for emergency medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and medical director of the Ben Taub General Hospital Emergency Center.

Decker started as an emergency medical technician for a local volunteer fire department while in high school, and he continued his emergency medical services work while at Rice University, ultimately becoming captain of its service. While a student at Rice, he also went through the police academy.

During his medical school career at BCM, he worked as a Sergeant with the Harris County Sheriff's Office and was instrumental in the creation of both their Tactical Medicine Unit and Child Predator Apprehension Team. While in medical school, Decker consistently volunteered over 1000 hours each year and received The Sheriff's Award from the Harris County Sheriff's Office. He decided that a residency in emergency medicine was the natural next step.

"I am incredibly thankful to have been surrounded at BCM and the Harris County Hospital District by the brightest and most innovative leaders in emergency medicine. My amazing mentors Dr. Shkelzen Hoxhaj and Dr. Angela Siler Fisher have supported my interests and challenged me to become the best emergency medicine physician possible. I could not be happier about starting my Emergency Medicine residency with BCM," said Decker.